Aneroid, including loading mechanism therefor



Nov. 22, 1949 E. E. BAUMAN 2,489,073

ANEROID INCLUDING LOADING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Nov. 19, 1943 A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1949 AN EROID, INCLUDING LOADING MECHANISM THEREFOR Edwin E. Bauman, River Edge, N. J

Application November 19, 1943, Serial No. 510;!)

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an aneroid having a new and useful mechanism for loading the cell he f.

More specifically, the invention relates to an aneroid having improved mechanism for loading the cell thereof which may be employed on aircraft in conjunction with the control of the fuel line to the motors, with the throttle of the motors, or with the pitch control of the propellers in a manner to cause these devices, depending upon which one of the controls the aner-oid is to be connected with, to be set to raise the aircraft to a desired elevation and level the craft off and maintain it at the desired elevation.

Still further it is proposed to provide a. hermetically sealed cell containing a pressure sensitive expendable gas having a selector diaphragm adapted to be manually setand a reaction diaphragm arranged to be acted upon by air pressure external of the cell in a manner to enable it to be employed to set means designed to provide the required lift for moving an aircraft to the desired elevation.

A further object of the invention proposes the construction of a novel means permitting the selector diaphragm of the sealed cell to be manually adjusted and which. may be arranged upon the dashboard of the aircraft to be easily accessible to the pilot of an aircraft.

Still another object of the invention proposes connecting the selector diaphragm and: its setting. mechanism together by means of a selector screw rod threadedly engaged through an adjustable pair of tension brackets to frictionally grip. the selector screw rod and maintain it in adjusted: positions against vibrations set up withinv the aircraft by the motors.

Another object oi the invention proposes a novel means for. adjusting the position of the tension brackets with relation to the selector diaphragm to permit the. tension brackets; to; be shifted to, pull; upon the selectorscrew rod and ad ust the position of the selector diaphragm over and above: the adiustments permitted; by the setting means.

E ur her mpre en on;- Qf. e; inve t o and of the-objects and advantages thereof, refierencev will be. had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and; to the appended claims in which the various novel; features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawingsforming amaterial part of this disclosure:

Fig, 1 is a schematic illustration. of. the; automatic altitude control for aircraft constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front ele'v'atlo'r'ial view of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 taken on the line 33 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The ane'roid, according to this invention, includes a hermetically sealed cell In arranged in position behind the dashboard 'll of the aircraft. This hermetically sealed cell Ill contains a pressure sensitive expandable gas and has'a selector diaphragm l2 and a reactionary diaphragm 13 forming the wall portions thereof. Means is provided for setting the selector diaphragm to represent selected altitudes by moving the selector diaphragm [2 to expand or enlarge the chamber or cell and rarify' the gas within the cell so that the reactionary diaphragm l3 willbe moved by atmospheric pressure in proportion from its neutral position. This means comprises a selector screw rod I4 threadedly engaged intermediatev of its ends through a pair of tension brackets Ill. The rear end of the selector screw rod I4 is connected by means of a coupling [6' with a projecting stem IT extending from the center of the selector diaphragm l2. The front end of the selector screw rod I4 is freely turnably or axially slidably extended through a dial plate l8 mounted on or in the dashboard l l. The exposed end of the selector screw rod I4 is provided with a radially extending selector hand or pointer l9 wh-ich is arranged to extend across a calibrated scale 20 formed on the front face of the dial plate l8. A knob 20* i also mounted on the projected end of the selector screw rod- M' to be used for manually turning the selector screw rod 14 to adjust the position of the selector diaphragm 12.

The tension brackets l5 have their bottom ends adjustably attached to a support 21 located behind the dashboard H by means of pins and slots- 21. The top end portions of the tension brackets l5 are extended towards each other and superimposed, slidably interfitted or telescoped upon one another. A screw 23 freely passes through an opening in one of the brackets and threadedly engages the other bracket. The screw 23 is adapted: to be turned for slightly drawing. the tension brackets l5 toward each other to. frictionally' bearagainst the side of the selector screw rod l4 and hold it securely in adjusted turned positions against the action of vibrations set up within the aircraft by the motors and for preventing backlash.

The coupling [5 hereinbefore referred to comprises a cup shaped member 24 formed upon the end of the shaft H. The inner end of the selector rod 14 is provided with an enlarged head which is freely rotatively extended into the open side of the cup shaped member 24 formed on the end of the shaft ii. A collar 23 is threadedly extended in or across the open side of the cup shaped member 2 and maintains the enlarged head 25 rotatively in position within the cup shaped member 24. Inasmuch as the shaft I! is fixedly attached to the center of the selector diaphragm l2 and is unable to turn, the coupling H5 provides a swivel to rotatably connect rod ill to the non-rotatable shaft I7 and diaphragm 12 so that the selector screw rod l4 may be manually rotated relative to shaft ll.

Means is provided controlled by movement under expansion and contraction due to the altitude and atmospheric pressure changes of the reactionary diaphragm l3 of the sealed cell [0 for controllin the lift of the aircraft. This means comprises a high resistance element 27 mounted in an electric circuit 28 including a source of power, not shown on the drawing. The electric circuit 28 also includes the winding 29 of a solemold 353. The reactionary diaphragm i 3 carries a. contact arm 3] which is adapted to move across winding or coil of the resistance element 21 as the reactionary diaphragm i3 is moved in one direction or the other by the effect of external pressures to vary the resistance. This movement of the contact arm 3| increases or decreases the resistance of the element 2'! and controls the supply of electric current to the winding 23 of the solenoid 38. As shown in Fig. 1, the hermetically sealed cell ill or contactarm 31 thereof is connected in the electric circuit 28 so that the circuit will be completed through this cell it and the contact arm 3 I. Also mounted in the circuit there is a highly sensitive relay mechanism 32 provided as an auxiliary source of power for the circuit 23, if it is desired to have this circuit controlled by such a relay.

The solenoid 33 including an iron core 33 which is extended through the winding 29 and which has connected to one end thereof the stem 34 of a needle valve 35 which is adapted to close a valve opening 35 formed in the fuel line 31. The fuel line 31 is designed to supply the required fuel to the motors of the aircraft. The stem 34 of the needle valve 35 is slidably extended through a bracket 33. A collar 39 is threadedly and thus adjustably mounted on the stem 34 and an expansion spring All operates between the bracket 38 and the collar 39 for normally urging the needle valve 35 into a position in which it closes the valve opening 35. Movements of the contact arm 3! across the resistant element 2'! to cut some of its windings out of the circuit 28 will cause greater quantities of electric current to be supplied to the winding 29 of the solenoid 3B, causing the core 33 to be drawn inwards and pull upon the stem 34 of the needle valve 35, moving it into an open position with relation to the valve opening 36. This movement of the stem 34 of the Y needle valve 35 will be done in opposition to the pressure exerted by the adjustable expansion spring 40, and the expansion spring 40 will be free to move the needle valve 35 back to its closing position with relation to the valve opening 36 when the reactionary diaphragm l3 moves the contact arm 31 to put more of the windings of the resistance element 21 into operation in the circuit 28, reducing the supply of current to the winding 29 of the solenoid 3|]. Should it be desired or found that the spring 40 is not, reliable enough it is suggested that it be dispensed with and in its place reliance may be had upon a second solenoid 30 opposed to solenoid 3B and having its core connected with said core 33 and controlled by a circuit connected with the back end of resistance '21.

A vernier adjustment 4! is provided for adjusting the position of the dial plate to compensate for changes in air pressure at sea level. This Vernier adjustment is characterized by a frame 42 which rotatively supports the dial plate H3 in a floating position to be turnable. Adjacent one side of the dial 18 a shaft 43 is rotatively extended through the frame 42. The outer end of the shaft 453 carries a knob 44 by which it may be turned. Also mounted on the shaft 43 there is a gear 45 which meshes with complementary gear teeth 46 formed on the periphery of the dial plate l8. Rotations of the gear 45 will then cause the dial plate 18 to be rotated within the frame 42. The frame 42 is provided with a calibrated scale 41 which is adapted to be used to adjust the position of the dial plate l8, from calculations prepared by the pilot for adjusting, from the normal position shown in Fig. 2. This normal position of the dial plate is one in which the aircraft is at sea level and adjustment is made for atmospheric pressure at sea level, or the equivalent.

The operation of this invention is as follows:

To use the automatic altitude control, the dial plate is must first be adjusted with relation to the calibrated scale 4'! from the normal position shown in Fig. 2, to adjust for the deviation of the air pressure from the normal at sea level. This is determined by calculations made by the pilot and is accomplished by turning the knob id of the Vernier adjustment 4 I After proper corrections have been made to the position of the dial plate 18 the altitude at which the'air-craft is to be flown is determined and the selectorhand i9 is adjusted by turning the knob 2i] to align the hand 19 with the proper elevation figure on the calibrated scale 20 of the dial l8. This will turn the selector screw rod l4 relative to the brackets l5 and pull outwards upon the selector diaphragm [2. This will rarity the sensitive expandable gas within the hermetically sealed cell Ill so that the pressure of the air at sea level or on the ground will immediately move the reactionary diaphragm I3 inwards until the pressure within the hermetically sealed cell it! becomes equal to the pressure externally of the cell. This movement of the reactionary diaphragm l3 will move the contact arm 3| across the windings of the resistance element 21 and out several of these windings out, causing the circuit 28 to supply greater quantities of electric current to the winding 29 of the solenoid 30. This will cause the core 33 of the solenoid 30 to move inwards against the action of the spring 40. This control means. 7

Supplying more gasoline to the motors will immediately cause the motors to operate at greater speeds, increasing the lifting power of the aira e -cue 5. craft and causing it to continue to rise until. the aircraft reachesthe elevation set upon. the dial plate l8. As the aircraft rises through: theair, the air-externally of the sealedcell Ill-will become rare, and-the pressure of the expandible gas'within the cell will expand and move the reactionary diaphragm I3 back to its normal position. Return movements of the reactionary diaphragm l3 will move the contactrod' 31 to cause more wind ings of the resistance element 21 to be brought intooperation in the circuit, cutting down the supply of electric current to the winding 29 of the solenoid 30. This will release the core 3-3- of the solenoid 3d so that the spring 4!] will expand-;.

Expansions of the spring 40 will move the metal valve 35 to close the valve opening 36' and cut down the supply of gasolineto the motors. This will decrease the speed of operation of the motors and cut down the lifting power of the aircraft, but will permit the motors to operate-at a speed sufii'cient to maintain the altitude for" which the devicewas set.

To causethe aircraft to descend, the above pro cedure is reversed.

In the form of the=invention shown in Figs. 4' and 5-, an adjustment is provided for the tension brackets I5 to permit the selector rod Hi to be adjusted to move the selector diaphragm [2 to adjusted positions over and above the adjustmerits provided on the selector dial l8. In this form of the invention the bottom ends ofthe tension brackets are adjustably mounted on a slide 60 provided with downwardly extending lugs 60 which project through elongated slot 6| formed in the support 2| located behind the dashboard ll. These lugs, 50. threadedly engage in a screw 62 which has its front end rotatively supported through the dashboard: I I, and'itsrear end supported in a lug 53 extending from the support 2|. provided with a knob 64 provided with a pointer 64 for working across a calibrated scale on the dashboard H by which the screw 62 may berotated to movethe tension brackets l5 forward and rearwardthroughthe limits of the length of the slot 6 l-.

Movement of the-tension brackets !5 in one direction or the other will pull on the selector rod M to adjust theposition of the selector diaphragm [2.

In otherrespects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and likereierence numerals identify like parts in each of the several views.

While the preferred application of the invention has been shown on the drawings in which the altitude control is connected with the fuel line of the aircraft, it is to be understood that this is merely by way of illustration and that the device may also be connected with the elevators or throttle of the aircraft or the pitch control mechanism of the propellers for accomplishing a. setting of these devices to lift and maintain the aircraft at a desired elevation.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An aneroid comprising a hermetically sealed The freeprojected end; of the screw 62 is cell: fixedly mounted on a. support and;v having a pair of opposed'diaphragm walls one of which is to be loaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded; a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem, a coupling connecting the adjacent ends of said stem and said rod so that:- said rod can be rotated relative to-saidst'em, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension. brackets formed" with aligned threaded openings through which the'intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so that when said rod is rotated in one direction or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, said tension brackets being slidably mounted on the support for slight movement'toward and away-fromeach other and means for drawing said brackets, together slightly to grip the threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired adjusted position.

2'. An aneroid comprising a hermetically sealed cell fixedly mounted on a support and having a pairof'opposed' diaphragm walls one of which is to beloaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem, a cou pling connecting the adjacent ends of said stem and said rod so that said rod can be rotated relativeto saidstem, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension brackets formed with aligned threaded openings through which the intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so that when said rod is rotated in one direction. or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, said tension brackets being slidably mounted on the. support for. slight movement toward. and away from eachother, and means for drawing. said brackets together slightly to grip the. threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired. adjusted position, said slidable mount.- ing of saidtension brackets, comprising right angular foot portions; formed on the bottom ends of said. tension brackets and resting on the top face of. the support, said foot portions being formed with elongated slots extended parallel to said rod, and pins projected through said elongated slots and mounted in. the support.

3 .,Anl aneroid: for; loading a diaphragm wall, comprising a hermetically sealed cell fixedly mounted on a support and having a pair of opposed diaphragm walls one of which is to be loaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem, a coupling connecting the adjacent ends of said stem and said rod so that said rod can be rotated relative to said stem, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension brackets formed with aligned threaded openings through which the intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so that when said rod is rotated in one direction or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, said tension brackets being slidably mounted on the support for slight movement toward and away from each other, and means for drawing said brackets together slightly to grip the threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired adjusted position, said drawing means comprising a screw rotatively extended through one of said tension brackets and threadedly engaging the other tension bracket.

4. An aneroid comprising a hermetically sealed cell fixedly mounted on a support and having a pair of opposed diaphragm walls one 0;? which is to be loaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem a coupling connecting the adjacent ends of said stem and rod so that said rod can be rotated relative to said stem, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension brackets formed with aligned threaded openings through which the intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so hat when said rod is rotated in one direction or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on, said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, right angular foot portions formed on the bottom of said tension brackets and resting on the top face of the support, means slidably supporting said foot portions on the support, and a screw rotatively extended through one of said brackets and threadedly engaged through the other of said brackets for drawing said brackets together slightly when said screw is turned to cause said brackets to grip the threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired adjusted position.

5. An aneroid comprising a hermetically sealed cell fixedly mounted on a support and having a pair of opposed diaphragm walls one of which is to be loaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem, a coupling connecting the adjacent end of said stem and rod so that said rod can be rotated relative to said stem, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension brackets formed with aligned threaded openings through which the intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so that when said rod is rotated in one direction or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, right angular foot portions formed on the bottom of said tension brackets and resting on the top face of the support, means slidably supporting said foot portions on the support, and a screw rotatively extended through one of said brackets and threadedly engaged through the other of said brackets for drawing said brackets together slightly when said screw is turned to cause said brackets to grip the threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired adjusted position, said foot portions being formed with elongated slots extended parallel to said rod, and pins passing through said elongated slots and mounted in the support forming said means slidably supporting said foot portions on the support.

6. An aneroid comprising a hermetically sealed cell fixedly mounted on a support and having a pair of opposed diaphragm walls one of which is to be loaded, a stem projecting concentrically from the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a rod arranged in end alignment with said stem, a coupling connecting the adjacent ends of said stem and said rod so that said rod can be rotated relae tive to said stem, said rod being formed intermediate its ends with threads, tension brackets formed with aligned threaded openings through which the intermediate threaded portion of said rod extends, so that when said rod is rotated in one direction or the other it will move relative to said brackets and pull or push on said stem and correspondingly move the diaphragm wall to be loaded, a slide for said tension brackets on the support, said tension brackets being slidably mounted on said slide for slight movement toward and away from each other, means for drawing said brackets together slightly to grip the threaded portion of said rod and secure it in a desired adjusted position, and screw operated means for moving said slide relative to the support to move said rod and said stem to load the diaphragm wall to be loaded above adjustments provided by rotation of said rod.

EDWIN E. BAUMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,049,038 Barstow et al Dec. 31, 1912 1,304,808 Royce May 27, 1919 1,586,648 Boulade June 1, 1926 1,766,657 Lampton June 24, 1930 2,112,965 Koster Apr. 5, 1938 2,129,613 Wunsche et al Sept. 6, 1938 2,191,250 Fischel Feb. 20, 1940 2,225,270 Heinrich Dec. 17, 1940 2,316,009 Martin Apr. 6, 1943 2,323,311 Crane et al. July 6, 1943 

